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The Chicago City Council's Progressive Reform Caucus released a list of fiscal reforms the group would like to see implemented as a means to achieve "fairness for working families in the 2016 budget process."

As Chicago officials look for ways to ease the city's pension and budgetary issues, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says seven downtown tax increment financing (TIF) districts will be phased out, a move that is expected to provide $250 million in governmental revenues over five years.

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Mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia teamed up with political reformers Tuesday to push back against "a series of ethical failures under Emanuel’s administration" as Garcia unveiled his plans for government accountability and transparency, if elected.

Mayoral challenger Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia previewed his fiscal plan for Chicago Friday, outlining some $500 million in budget savings for the cash-strapped city. But the mayoral hopeful stayed mum on his plans for generating new revenue. Progress Illinois takes a look at Garcia's budget framework and what Rahm Emanuel's campaign had to say about it.

The two aldermanic candidates in Chicago's 32nd Ward race traded barbs throughout a Tuesday evening political forum, with incumbent Ald. Scott Waguespack coming under attack for his "personality conflicts" and challenger Elise Doody-Jones taking heat over her residency.

A pro-Mayor Rahm Emanuel super PAC's involvement in the 32nd Ward race was also discussed at the candidate forum, hosted by the South Lakeview Neighbors at the Athenaeum Theater, 2936 N. Southport Ave.

Waguespack, who has held the 32nd Ward seat since 2007, is a member of the city council's Progressive Reform Caucus. Doody-Jones is a small business owner who formerly served as treasurer of 1st Ward First, an independent political organization in Chicago's 1st Ward that supports the ward's current alderman, Joe Moreno.

Doody-Jones presently resides in the neighboring 1st Ward but says she will move to the 32nd Ward, if elected. She was asked about her residency at the top of Tuesday's forum, to which Doody-Jones explained that her Logan Square home is located just outside the ward's remapped boundaries.

Ahead of Wednesday's Chicago City Council meeting, several aldermen and housing advocates called for a hearing on an ordinance that would provide the council with greater oversight of the Chicago Housing Authority and expand access to affordable housing.